Cyber Monday Sale!

CYBER MONDAY is here! The biggest online shopping day in the entire year...so of course I want to have a sitewide sale!

Coupon code: Turkey15 gets you 15% off your entire order, no minimum!

Most popular right now:

Festive Red and White Polka Dot Flannel:

Black and White Houndstooth Flannel:


Oh yes, and purple. Purple Zebra. Because it's FUN :)

C'mon over and shop til you drop!

I really hope to be back soon to chat on a more regular basis, I miss y'all :)

Amanda - Vintage Dutch Girl

Lola's Winter Playdate...

I found a great item to help entertain the kiddos (um, I mean me) this winter:


I'm certain Lola (my Tahoe) would be oh so excited to use some of her brawn and plow snow all the live long day.

All I need is cozy clothes, a nice ginormous mocha, and a whole slew of Christmas Cd's and I'm good to go. We'll go ahead and write our own book: 'Lola and the Big Snow'

That is, if we even do get snow this year. Oh please oh please oh please! I'm ready for winter boots, chunky knit hats, a magical white wonderland and sipping hot chocolate by the fire while snow falls softly outside. I must say, I am just itching to get to decorating for Christmas. Can barely stand it.

And yes, I still celebrate Thanksgiving...I LOVE Thanksgiving! One of the things I'm MOST thankful for? Christ's birth...hence the early decorating!

Anyone else just itching to put up their Christmas decor!? Or have you already? I know I'm not alone in this!

Off to plug in twinkly lights -

Amanda -Vintage Dutch Girl

Potty Trained...

I have a potty trained 2 yr* old.

Let the rejoicing begin!

Explains why I've been a bit quiet around here!? This was the third attempt...and the lightbulb just clicked for her this time. THANK GOODNESS.

I've also been busy editing and listing, let's see, last count is 23, new infinity scarves in the VintageDutchGirl Etsy shop in the past week. Yeah. That's a lot.

Also busy trying to get orders out as soon as I can. A snuggled in a new cozy scarf as soon as possible customer is a happy customer. Especially those way up in the northern provinces in Canada. Brrrr. No wonder I've been shipping there often.

I have at least seven more in the works...not to mention those other fun accessories that ladies like to wear on their auditory lobules.

Earrings, people. Extract thine minds from the asphalt drainage system.

I just took exactly 199 photos of earrings to list soon. Here's hoping some turned out. Off to edit my ears off.

Amanda - VintageDutchGirl

*Oh, and she turns three years old (sob) in five weeks, but hey, she snuck in just under the bar :)

Keep You Cozy NEW Patterns...

Remember, the Vintage Dutch Girl Etsy Buy 2 get 20% off coupon code is on! Buy any two regular priced (Not in sale section) scarves and get 20% off you order. Code is: BUY2GET20

Brand new listed items:


Oh so classy:


Happy Shopping!

Off to make a pink princess costume and finish up the superhero one...what can I say, it's impossible for me to buy the kiddos costumes premade. It's just a thing I have. Harvest party is tonight at our church so I'd better get GOING!

Amanda - VintageDutchGirl

Shows Over, Let's Have A....FALL Sale!

Whew!

The Ruffles & Rust Show is over! What a blast! Learned SO SO SO much about running a booth, swiping credit cards (the Square is AWESOMESAUCE) learning what sells, what doesn't, which fabric people gravitate towards, etc.

The final booth set-up:

I've never been a saleswoman....and I detest pushy salespeople so I was really trying to be a helpful and informative shop owner not a BUY MY STUFF!!! shop owner. We found that demonstrating how to put on, arrange and wear an infinity scarf allows folks to be informed about my products, but not feel pressured.

HUGEST downside to doing this show? Not being able to shop! I saw SO many awesome booths and just wanted to go and browse through and pick up some trinkets and treasures.

Oh I have so many more thoughts on this subject but it will have to wait for now as my laundry dragon has reared its ugly flaming head again.

Also, I now have 30 hours and 55 minutes in which to complete two handmade costumes for the littles. Superhero and a princess. Predictable? Yes. But they are so excited to dress up :)

However, before I ditch y'all, I'll leave a fall treat:

Vintage Dutch Girl Etsy Fall Sale! I am turning the BUY2GET20 coupon code BACK ON! That's right, purchase two scarves and get 20% off your total! * see details below*

THIS is the time to get your Christmas Stocking stuffers all taken care of. And hint? I've got about TWENTY new fabrics all made up into scarves that just need photos and to be posted. New items posted daily for awhile!

Some shopping suggestions:

The #1 selling Fall Burnt Umber Blossom Scarf:


A classy, longer and brown toned Zebra print scarf:


A classic plaid:


The Woodland Berries Fall Scarf:



A soft and elegant Ivory Fleece:


Happy Shopping!

Amanda - Vintage Dutch Girl

*Deal details: This coupon is to be used with the purchase of two regularly full-priced scarves. Cannot be combined with any other coupon code or use this deal on the sale/clearance section.*

Keep up to date with newest Etsy products on my Facebook page found here.

Ruffles & Rust Set Up Day...

Set Up Day!

Today my alarm went off early (too early) and we got ready to jump in the car and get on the road to the show.

We had packed up Lola, our hillbilly trailer, Lance's car and my MIL's car full of scarves, pillows, aprons, earrings and display and booth stuff the night before. Then we covered the hillbilly trailer with a huge ugly gray and brown tarp and strapped it down with black bungee cords and yellow rope.

Because we are classy like that.

Poor Lola. It's like being dressed up for a cocktail party and pulling a large turd behind you on a cart:


That's my rockstar hubby in the drivers seat. Waiting patiently for his lady, his Mama and his Mama in law as they hit up Starbucks for their coffee fix.

Drove through the rain and arrived at the fairgrounds, located the building, and started piling stuff in.

First of all, check out my booth space pre-move in! Looks pretty sad and cold except for a pile of dropcloths which I use for my booth walls:



After hauling the booth bones and setting those up:


Then fast forward four hours. We have unpacked all the product and are in the "prettying" stage of setting up. Everything is in the booth, we are just figuring out how to best display stuff to make it interesting to look at, enticing for shoppers and easily shoppable. Here is my "try on" station!


Lots and lots of ruffly aprons and tons of scarves, headbands and earrings. Kinda blurry, but you get the general idea:


Then we had to break to repark our hillbilly trailer. Proud to say I backed it in without hitting anything. Score a big gold star for me! Photographic evidence:


And what I didn't take a photo of was me stuffing my face at 11:04 pm...as I forgot to eat dinner for the second night in a row.

My poor body is so very confused. Looking forward to regaining normalcy once the show is done! Which means I should really start exercising again. {sigh} Can we just fastforward past those annoyingly painful, out of breath and jiggly first 5-10 days of restarting your exercise regimen? Thatdbegreatthanks.

EX.HAUST.ED. I need to sleeeeeeeep. Thankful that I can sleep in tomorrow morning and rest up before the Apron Party portion of the show tomorrow evening.

Off to bed I go...

Amanda

Last Day…

So, I'm eating Macaroni and Cheese out of a mug with a serving spoon.

Our dishes are so backed up it's all I had left.

Remember that episode of Friends where Ross dates the messy girl? While they are making out on the couch he sees a potato chip bag rustling and pounds it with a tennis racket….turning out to be rat? Yeah, that episode.

That's my house. Minus the rat. ( Hopefully. )

And switch out the potato chip bag for a pita chip bag. LOVE those things. Great to use instead of croutons.

And I'm not dating a Paleontologist named Ross.

BUT.

The moral of this story is that despite living in a cluttered trash heap I am READY. FOR. THE. SHOW. Phew!

(Ya know, the show being the thing I've been talking and talking and talking about the past month.)

Even with a last-minute trip to JoAnns to grab one more cut of fabric….and seeing five others that I couldn't pass up and just HAD to get them sewn up into scarves for the show. Two days before I have to leave. Yep, including those.

It really should be crafters law: Thou shalt NOT go into any fabric or craft store the week of your show.

Too much temptation. Too many ideas, too little time!

I am so excited about my booth, it turned out just how I wanted it to. A mish mash of vintage furniture and shutters, lots of interesting nooks and crannies, a chandelier, hooks and containers….. and of course, Quinny. (My pin striped Mannequin). Quite an eclectic mix. And yet throwing it all together just seemed to WORK. Think vintage glam meets rustic country. Lace, burlap, silverware hooks, weathered wood, blue Ball jars, crystals, chicken wire, sparkle, canvas, ticking, silver etc etc etc. SO much fun.

Hope to see some of your smiling faces there!

Amanda - VintageDutchGirl

Exclusive to Ruffles & Rust...

New products exclusive to the show!

Lots of sassy n sophisticated flower pins and headbands:


Boxes and boxes of infinity scarves, with new fabrics:


Pretties for your ears:


Remember this lace accented fleece infinity scarf?


Well. Let me tell ya, you'll have a barrel full of different color options:

(this is just a sampling...many more packed away in those boxes pictured above!)

Off to create more, drink coffee, price, organize my booth (which is currently set up in my living room) and eat hot fudge.

Outta the jar.

With a spoon.

Heated up first, of course. I'm not a barbarian.

Amanda

Keep up to date with newest products and Ruffles & Rust show updates on my Facebook page found here.

How To Make a Craft Booth Sign...

I am knee deep in crafting, labeling, pricing, organizing, packing and planning for the Ruffles & Rust Vintage Market show next Friday and Saturday at the Evergreen Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA. You coming? Print off the coupon on very top right sidebar for $3 off your entrance fee.

One of the hugest projects on my to-do list was to create some sort of sign for my booth. You know, let people know what booth they are shopping in. I really really REALLY didn't want to spend big $$$ on this sign. But yeah, wanted it to look amazing. Of course.

Finally figured out what would work best.

First off, you need a hugenormous frame. My Mom has this large black ornate picture frame that my sis and I have been teasingly(sorta) arguing over for the past 10 years or so. Mom keeps hiding it in new secret spots all over her house, refusing to let us touch it.

However. She let me borrow it :)

Let's make a sign, shall we?

1. Gather your supplies:
- A hugenormous frame and a backer board that fits the frame.
- Level, Measuring tape, large clamps.
- Fabric larger than backer board (I used a drop cloth).
- Archival non-smudging ink pens. Yup, plural.
- Push pins, Straight pins and tape.
- Old school overhead projector.
- Your chosen logo/saying/photo etc printed on a transparency (local print store can easily do that for ya. Mine cost 89 cents. Perfect.).
- Clear Glaze Spray (optional), Adhesive Spray.
- Kiddos entertained with DVD.
- Diet Coke. Duh.


2. Stretch fabric and tack to wall. Make sure it's level! I used a windowsill to help it stay level.


(These are the pens I used. Fine point on one end, calligraphy plume on the other.)


3. Tape the transparency to your old school projector. Make sure it's level!


4. Turn projector on, center and level the logo. Measure, remeasure and then measure again...for good measure.

(sip your diet coke. Quickly check on the kiddos)

5. Carefully CAREFULLY start outlining your logo. Go from left to right to prevent smudging.


6. Turn off projector every so often and check for missed spots and lines. (sip more diet coke, insert a new DVD for the kiddos). Carefully fill in your traced lines.


7. Ah yes, so nice! If your frame doesn't have glass (like mine) then you should think about sealing your project. I used Krylon Clear Glaze spray. Test on a written on fabric scrap first! Cover entire project, let dry.


8. Here's another step where you need to measure, remeasure and then measure some more. Center and level the logo on your backer board and firmly clamp. Work with half the project at a time. Have a helper (a handsome husband works great for this role :) hold up the bottom half of the project while you spray the adhesive on the backer board. Slowly and firmly press the sign down from the center out and make certain to eliminate air bubbles. Repeat on other side.


9. Trim excess fabric from the edge of the sign. Leave a 2 inch selvage.


10. Place your newly made, oh so cool logo in frame and use support boards to keep in place. I'm athinkin having my sign crash to the ground mid-show wouldn't make me feel too grand.


11. The best part! Hang it up!!!
Pin It


SOOOOO excited how this turned out! And yes, this picture is HORRIBLE. It doesn't do the sign any justice. Captures about 10% of the awesome factor of this handmade sign. Time for a new camera?! :)

Oh, almost forgot the last step:

12. Finish that Diet Coke!

Amanda - Vintage Dutch Girl

Keep up to date with newest products and Ruffles & Rust show updates on my Facebook page found here.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Printable...

I am digging this fall weather.

Yup, I am soooooo done with summer. Unless someone wants to take me somewhere tropical. Then maybe I'd be OK with some sunshiney goodness.

Finally got this put back up on my wall this week!
Pin It


Ah yes, good ole pumpkin spice latte....that MAY have something to do with my being DONE with summer. Just maybe.

Print it out, frame it and drink one:

Pin It


YUM.

Other than that, I have one tiny ceramic pumpkin sitting out...and that is as far as I've got decorating for fall.

I'm thinking I need to do something more.

I know! How bout I line up all my used Sbux coffee cups and turn them so you can see the PSL on the side?! It'd be a conversation starter, that's for sure :)

Amanda - Vintage Dutch Girl


Make my day and become a fan on the Vintage Dutch Girl Facebook Fan page found HERE.

Fitting Room Chit Chat...

I spent greater part of yesterday afternoon and evening running errands and shopping. Ya know, a list ten miles long and ALWAYS end with Wallyworld because hello, it's open 24 hours!

I was in the mall (in and of itself a rarity for me) and missed the 9 PM big box store close deadline. See? I don't know how to work the mall. Those of you who have the location of every store memorized? I don't understand y'all.

However, ask me where to find a specialty fabric or random crafting item in Jo-Ann's and I can mentally walk the aisles and tell you right where to find it. You know, utilizing my completely accurate photographic memory.

Trying on clothes and trying not to eavesdrop on other customers' conversations is...well...impossible.

Hello echo.

First up was a tween who claimed that in California, life is perfect. Apparently Washington is the place to move to if you want to ruin your life. Good to know.

Next up was the girl who claimed that she needed some serious hootchie mama improvements. OK, lovely.

And the last was, "I look like a prostitute! YAY!"

Uh huh. Right.

Methinks the next time I go solo shopping I'll be wearing headphones...

Amanda - VintageDutchGirl

Sassy and Sophisticated...

Hiya! I’ve had this new sassy and sophisticated cozy warm infinity scarf design brewing in my mind for a few months and finally got around to figuring out exactly how I wanted it to look.

I am so excited to finally show you the final outcome! Pin It

Sassy and Sophisticated by Vintage Dutch Girl on Etsy.

There’s no reason you can’t look stunning when it’s stinkin cold outside! I have a bunch of different varieties coming….such as teal, champagne, cream, black and gray. Ah yes, wonderful FALL colors!

As for something more blatantly AUTUMN I have this new gorgeous Burnt Umber Blossom print:

I love sewing these up, they make me smile!

I’m doing some MAJOR house whipping today, hoping Tinkerbell can come sprinkle some magical super fairy dust on me so I can flit and fly all about my house. Seriously. There isn’t ONE room in my house that I would be proud to show my Grandma. Coffee coffee coffee……

Speaking of Tink...

I may be making Lil Chick a Tinkerbell costume for our Harvest festival party this October. We’ve been bringing back the VHS tapes in the bonus room while I do some sewing. The kiddos are LOVING Peter Pan, The Lion King (Uh, FFW through the scary parts!), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinnochio.

It’s fun to see the kiddos enjoy movies I enjoyed as a child. Now, if I can find (thrifted, of course) Anne of Green Gables, Lady and the Tramp, Dumbo and Cinderella on VHS our collection will be almost complete. It still makes me giggle to see those ginormous VHS tapes. Remember waiting FOREVER for them to rewind?

Be kind, rewind!

Amanda – Vintage Dutch Girl

Keep up to date with newest products and show updates on my Facebook page found here!

Ruffles & Rust!!!

OK folks, announcement time!
{deep breath}
I am so very honored to be invited to participate for my very first craft show! I am going to be a vendor at the uber-amazing, so-much-to-look-at-it's-dizzyin, handmade-heaven, inspirational Ruffles & Rust show! Eeek! If you've never been, it is HIGH time you go.

This HUGE 90+ vendor show, presented by Come Junk With Us, is a vintage market filled with antiques, clothing, home décor, handmade accessories and more…This show is very similar to the oh-so-sassy and fun Farm Chicks show. Uh huh. Wonderfulness.

The fun is happening October 22, 2011 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington (click for map and directions). Doors open at 9 AM, with an $8 entrance charge….but I've heard shoppers start lining up before 7 AM! Grab your gal pals and get there early with a Pumpkin Spice Latte in your hand to keep you warm while you wait :
Yesterday, I dragged my sis-in-law in with me to the recently opened Ruffles & Rust Square located in historic Snohomish, WA. We were both drooling over the fun items in there! I was able to pick up something wonderful for you…and to shop a bit, of course. I've got a COUPON for you folks! Ah yes, LOVE me a good coupon.

Present this coupon at the entrance and get $3 off your entrance fee.
$5.00 is much nicer to see than $8.00, right!? (Plus, it means you can spend moreJ). If you see me out n about, I've got one I can hand to you personally, or you can just print your coupon off right here:


I will have a LARGE assortment of my infinity scarves available to try on and purchase, with new styles and patterns I haven't yet listed in my ETSY shop.
Many of the scarves will be pre-folded and tied up with a ribbon and tag, PERFECT for gift giving. All you gotta do is throw em in a gift bag, stuff some crepe paper in and good.to.GO.
Course, I don't just plan on scarves, I've got some SASSY half aprons – Rows and rows of ruffles, each apron is one of a kind! Add in a lovely bunch of handmade earrings (from subdued colors and sizes to jaunty reds, oranges, and blues to STATEMENT earrings), some nifty, witty throw pillows and a few other secrets I've got up my sleeve and that will be one FULL booth.
I've been a busy little sewing bee, running my sewing machine, serger, and iron to their very limit. And having a MAHvelOUS time! Oh to have a maid to cook and clean so I could play all the live long day…ah yes, a lovely dream J
Click on the link for some handy hints and tips for shoppers from ComeJunkWithUs.com. Some really good info, ex. most vendors are CASH ONLY.
HOWEVER, I'll be accepting cash, paypal (if you have a smartphone with you), and Credit Cards through the tiny yet amazing and secure Square accessory for my iPhone. SO nice for shoppers who find stuff they just can't pass up! Christmas shopping 2011? Oh yes. I plan to be DONE with my shopping by the time the show ends.
I do hope to see you there, can't wait to chat with you! Off to sew again…
Amanda – Vintage Dutch Girl
Keep up to date with newest products and show updates on my Facebook page found here!

Nursing Care Plan on Momma Stress…

My Mothering has taken a hit. Meaning, as a Mom, I feel hit. Beaten down psychologically, so to speak. Parenting a strong willed child...the hardest task I've ever had in my life.

I'm actually starting to implement some stress relief techniques to help me freak out a bit less. I can do a nursing plan on relieving stress, wanna see it?

 

Assess: Huh, the Momma's tearing her hair out and has a wild look in her bloodshot eyes.

Diagnose: The Momma is too stressed

Plan: We are going to lower some stress with calming techniques, more rest, some Momma breaks, choosing your battles and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

Implement: Do all that stuff in the Plan.

Evaluate: Is Momma less stressed? Getting there slowly but surely.

 

See? Don't have that RN license for nothing. Putting it to excellent use.

Amanda

Sneak Peeks...

Where have I been? Why aren't you posting sewing stuff? Why are you only posting once a week?

All good questions. All questions I'm sure are in YOUR brain as well as mine :) Some answers:

I've been here. Really. At my home, mostly. I've been working on some secret projects:

And once again trying to figure out the balance between Mothering and crafting. It ain't easy. I'm still working on it.

Finally did a project for ME. Well, it was for Lil Chick, but whatever. Maybe I'll do a tutorial, maybe not. It completely depends the on cuteness level. Still thinking on it.


Hee hee hee, OH the fun my sewing room has seen :) COLOR and RUFFLES, people. Makes me smile...it may make you smile too:


Currently drinking my very brand new uber yummmmmy Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. Let the peasants rejoice! Don't hate me, but I am officially ready for FALL. Are you?


Speaking of Sbux, my coffee cup is cuter than yours:


Sassy, no?

I've got a big announcement of sorts coming this week regarding crafting stufferoo. Hey, it involves coupons! That get your attention? I thought so.

Go get a Pumpkin Spice Latte right now. I give you permission. You may want to go half-sies on the caffeine like I did because hey now, some people need to get their beauty rest...

Amanda - Vintage Dutch Girl

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